Actor Javier Bardem addresses Israel-Hamas conflict: We must help bring peace

While receiving an award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, actor Javier Bardem condemned the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. He urged for a cease-fire, justice for leaders involved, and a culture of peace and coexistence.

In Short

• Actor Javier Bardem condemned both Hamas attacks and Israeli actions
• He addressed this while accepting an award at the San Sebastian Film Festival
• The actor emphasised the need for peace and coexistence for both Israel and Palestine

While accepting an award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, actor Javier Bardem took the opportunity to speak out about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Bardem condemned both the recent Hamas attacks and the “massive punishment that the Palestinian population is enduring.” His speech called for an immediate cease-fire, the release of hostages by Hamas, and for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Hamas leaders responsible for the October 7 attacks, to be judged by the International Criminal Court.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Bardem explained why he felt it was important to address the situation. “I believe that we can and must help bring peace. If we take a different approach, then we will get different results,” he said, emphasising the need for a culture of peace and coexistence.

Bardem’s remarks came before Tuesday's attack by Iran on Israel. He added, “The security and prosperity of Israel and the health and future of a free Palestine will only be possible through a culture of peace, coexistence and respect.”

Bardem also criticised the ongoing cycle of violence. “Why now? Because to continue to stall negotiations and return to the previous status quo, as they say, or as we are seeing now, embark on a race to further violations of international law would be to perpetuate the war and eventually lead us off a cliff.”

He highlighted the human cost of the conflict, saying, “We’re witnessing crimes against human rights, crimes under international law, such as, for example, the banning of food, water, medicines, electricity, using, as UNICEF says, war against children and the trauma that’s being created for generations. We cannot remain indifferent to that.”

Bardem has previously spoken up on global issues before, when he signed an open letter calling for peace during a 2014 conflict between Israel and Hamas. A few years earlier, he addressed a United Nations committee on the issue of refugees in Western Sahara, a cause he also narrated a documentary about. Additionally, Bardem is an environmental advocate, having spoken to the UN in 2019 about the need to protect the world’s oceans.